COOKING CLASSES

Guided by Patrizia and local cooks, these intimate experiences explore the flavours and traditions of local and Mediterranean cuisine: preparing fresh handmade pasta, transforming milk into fresh ricotta, cooking couscous, hummus, and eggplant cream inspired by the Middle East, and creating rich, colourful salads using seasonal ingredients — dishes that can easily be recreated back home.
A simple and natural way of discovering that food can be both satisfying and light.

CRAFT WORKSHOPS

Led by local artisans, these workshops introduce guests to traditional crafts and techniques rooted in the culture of Salento, including ceramics and decorative arts.
A slower, hands-on way to connect with the territory and its creative traditions.

PILATES & YOGA

During selected periods of the year, Pilates and Yoga classes are held in the shaded gardens of the Dimora, surrounded by Mediterranean plants and the scent of flowers.
Sessions are led by qualified instructors and designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

BOAT EXCURSIONS

Exploring the coastline from the sea reveals a different side of Salento: hidden coves, sea caves, natural inlets, cliffs, and crystalline waters often inaccessible from land.
Excursions are guided by experienced local skippers who know the coastline intimately.

KAYAK EXCURSIONS

The Adriatic coast, with its cliffs and hidden caves, and the Ionian coast, with its long sandy beaches, offer two very different ways of experiencing the sea.
Guided excursions are suitable for all levels and include the necessary equipment for kayaking and snorkelling.

BICYCLE TRIP

Cycling through Salento means crossing landscapes shaped by dry-stone walls, olive groves, historic villages, and quiet country roads.
Along the Otranto–Leuca coastline, panoramic viewpoints open onto the sea; on particularly clear days, the mountains of Albania and Greece appear on the horizon.

VIGNACASTRISI

The small village where Dimora Santa Croce is located. It can be crossed on foot in just a few minutes and offers a few essential local shops: bakery, greengrocer, pastry shop, bars, and small restaurants.

CASTRO

Only 3 km away, Castro is one of the most characteristic villages in Salento.
Set on a hill overlooking the sea, it combines historical architecture, small squares, archaeological ruins, and an ancient castle with a strong maritime identity.
Below, Castro Marina is a small harbour with crystal-clear waters, where it is possible to swim in underground freshwater springs flowing into the sea. From here, boat excursions depart to nearby sea caves, including the prehistoric Zinzulusa Cave, which can also be reached on foot.

BETWEEN OTRANTO AND LEUCA

Dimora Santa Croce lies along the coastal stretch between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca, often considered one of the most beautiful roads in southern Italy.
Whether explored by car, bicycle, or along the trekking paths that follow the coastline, this landscape reveals a continuous sequence of cliffs, small coves, Mediterranean vegetation, and ancient stone architecture. The Via Francigena route also passes directly in front of the Dimora, attracting walkers and cyclists from across all year round.
Going North Otranto, a fortified seaside town shaped by centuries of history. Its Cathedral preserves the extraordinary 12th-century mosaics, widely considered among the most remarkable in the world.
Further south, the former Bauxite quarry appears unexpectedly among the landscape, with its striking lake of turquoise water set against deep red rock.
Along the coast, Porto Badisco remains one of the most atmospheric stops: a small natural inlet where lunch at Bar da Carlo — overlooking the sea — has become something of a local ritual.
Going South through Santa Cesarea Terme and Castro, the coastline opens onto some of the area’s most beautiful swimming spots, including Cala dell’Acquaviva, Marina di Andrano, Tricase Porto, and Marina Serra, with its historic natural sea pools carved into the stone.
The road ends in Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, before continuing north again along the Ionian coast towards Gallipoli, passing long stretches of clear water and sandy beaches often referred to as the “Maldives of Salento.”

LECCE AND SURROUNDINGS

Within easy reach of the Dimora are some of the most beautiful towns in inland Salento. Lecce — often described as the capital of Baroque architecture in southern Italy — deserves to be explored slowly, through its churches, courtyards, and sunlit stone streets.
Nearby Galatina, known both for the remarkable frescos in Basilica of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria and for its pastry tradition. Pasticciotti were invented here.
Across the region, villages such as Specchia, Tricase, and many others preserve a quieter side of Salento, shaped by local craftsmanship, historic centres, and everyday life that still unfolds at a slower pace.